PASADENA, Calif., Nov. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Fuller Seminary, one of the world's largest multi-denominational seminaries, celebrates the inauguration of new president, Dr. Mark Labberton, Wednesday, November 6th, at First United Methodist Church in Pasadena.

A luncheon on the Fuller campus includes a welcome to Mark and Janet Labberton from Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard. An afternoon academic symposium at First United Methodist Church, "Windows on the Church in the World: A U.S. and Global Panel" features world-renowned Christian leaders.

The fifth president in the evangelical seminary's 66-year history, Dr. Labberton has served at Fuller since 2009 as the Lloyd John Ogilvie Associate Professor of Preaching. Prior to Fuller, Dr. Labberton served for 16 years as senior pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, CA.

Dr. Labberton earned a Master of Divinity degree at Fuller, and a Ph.D. in theology from the University of Cambridge, England. A frequent lecturer and preacher throughout the world, Labberton has authored: First Things: A Theology of the World, the Church, the Pastor, and the Sermon (2013); The Dangerous Act of Loving Your Neighbor: Seeing Others Through the Eyes of Jesus (2010) and The Dangerous Act of Worship: Living God's Call to Justice (2007).

"I am honored to have this opportunity to work with faculty, students, staff, alumni, and our Board to further Fuller's leadership in seminary education and its global outreach," said Dr. Labberton, who succeeds Dr. Richard J. Mouw, who served as Fuller's president since 1993.

Among the priorities for Dr. Labberton's presidency is that Fuller Seminary serve as a leader in providing 21st century seminary education that responds effectively to the needs of a changing church and world.

Ranked as a leading seminary in the world, Fuller focuses on strong academic scholarship, a steadfast biblical faith, and a diverse environment. With students from 112 denominations and 75 countries across the globe, Fuller prepares more than 4,200 men and women each year through graduate-level schools of theology, intercultural studies, and psychology. More than 40,000 Fuller alumni serve in churches, mission organizations, counseling, and other vocations in 120 countries.

With its main campus in Pasadena, Fuller has seven regional campuses, and online study programs that are available throughout the world. For more information, www.fuller.edu